Current Travel Health News

The health authority of Egypt notified WHO of two new cases of human infection with Avian Influenza  (H5N1) virus. The first case was a 32 year-old male from Behira governorate. He developed symptoms on 16 February and died on 28 February. The second case was a 37 year-old female from Kafr Elshihk governorate. She developed symptoms on 18 February and died on 26 February. Preliminary investigations into both cases with regard to the source of infection indicated close contact with sick or deceased backyard poultry at the cases' respective residences.

Of the 163 cases confirmed to date in Egypt, 57 had been fatal.

(Source: WHO 28 February 2012)

Indonesia notified WHO of one new case of human infection with Avian Influenza (H5N1) virus. The case was a 12 year-old male from Badung, Bali. He had disease onset on 11 February and died on 21 February. Investigation into the source of infection indicated contact with poultry.

Of the 186 cases confirmed since 2005 in Indonesia, 154 had been fatal.

(Source: World Health Organization 2 March 2012)

A 40 year-old male was diagnosed as the 4^th case of human Avian Influenza (H5N1) in Bangladesh. The patient is a live bird market worker.

(Source: Promed Mail 1 March 2012)

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease cases have reached epidemic level in Singapore. Nearly 3 times as many youngsters have reported falling ill over the last 2 months compared with the same period last year (2011).

(Source: Promed Mail 1 March 2012)

The outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria continued. As of 17 February, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health had reported 397 cases with 87 of these confirmed as Lassa Fever. A total of 40 deaths had also been reported, including 6 health workers.

(Source: NaTHNaC 29February 2012)

As of 14 February 2012, 54 cases of Melioidosis including 3 deaths have been reported in the Northern Territory, Australia, the largest number ever recorded.

(Source: NaTHNaC 24 February 2012)

As widespread violent clashes occurred in many cities across Syria, including Daraa, Latakia, Damascus, Baniyas, Aleppo, Homs and Hama, resulting in serious casualties, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for Syria to Black. Residents are urged to avoid all travel to the country. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and avoid protests and large gatherings of people.

For more information, please visit the OTA webpage.

(Source: Security Bureau, Government of Hong Kong SAR 26 April 2011)

Following the hostage taking incident in the Philippines which had caused casualties, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for the Philippines to Black. Hong Kong residents are urged to avoid all travel to the Philippines. Those already there should attend to their personal safety and stay alert.

For more information, please visit the OTA webpage.

(Source: Security Bureau, Government of Hong Kong SAR 20 September 2010)

For more information, please visit the World Health Organization website.